Basic shapes

First, use the Pen tool and draw the basic shapes of the pumpkin.

2. Fill Gradient

Fill the shapes with a linear gradient with no stroke fill. Gradient color1: R=255 G=127 B=0,
color2: R=255 G=127 B=0

3. Shading

Select all shapes, go to menu Edit > Copy (Ctrl+C). Then go to menu Edit > Paste in Front
(Ctrl+F) to paste in position.
With the shapes remain selected, open Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder). Hold down
Alt key, click on Add to shape area. This will merge shapes together.

Select the following gradient setting – color1: R=255 G=255 B=255, color2: R=204 G=122
B=22. Slide the white picker toward the right side. With the merged shape remain selected, drag
from the upper center toward bottom.
Change the Blending Mode of the merged shape to Multiply.

4. Stem

Use the Pen tool and draw a shape of stem on top of the pumpkin. Fill it with a radial gradient as
shown. Gradient color1: R=111 G=129 B=46, color2: R=82 G=56 B=17.

5. Cutout Face

Make a new layer on top of the pumpkin. Use the Pen tool and draw the basic shapes of the face.
Select all the shapes (face only), use the Gradient tool and fill it with a radial gradient as shown.
Gradient color1: R=255 G=242 B=0, color2: R=255 G=146 B=0, color3: R=187 G=50 B=0.
6. Depth

Now, we need to add some depth to the pumpkin cutouts. Use the Pen tool, roughly draw a shape
intersect with the left eye cutout. Then Copy the left eye and Paste in Front. Select the left eye
shape and the intersect shape, go to Pathfinder, hold down Alt key and click on Intersect shape
areas.

Repeat this step until you get all the features done (eyes, nose, and mouth).

7. Shadow & Highligh

Fill the shadow area with a darker gradient (color1: R=255 G=146 B=0, color2: R=187 G=50
B=0). Then fill the highlight area with a lighter gradient (color1: R=255 G=255 B=139, color2:
R=255 G=164 B=0).
Final

That’s it!

Prev • Tutorials • Next

Abstract Background

In my previous tutorial, I’ve showed you how to make stylish flowers with the Blend Tool. This
tutorial will show you how to make an abstract background with Illustrator Blend Tool. It is very
cool and simple!

Download Source File

Required: Illustrator 9+

1. Gradient Background

Create a rectangular path and fill it with blue gradient.

2. Screen Gradient Paths

Create another path with Blue-Black gradient and select Screen Blending Mode. This will
create a lighter blue gradient shade. If your color setting is CMYK, make sure the black is full
black (C,M,Y,K=100). The red arrow on the image is the direction of the gradient fill.

Repeat the previous step to create another Screen gradient path.

3. Abstract Wave

Make 2 white stroke paths.

4. Blend Tool

Go to Object > Blend > Blend Options, enter Specified Steps = 20. Then with the 2 strokes
selected, go to Object > Blend > Make or press Ctrl+Alt+B. This will blend 2 white strokes
and create an abstract wave effect. If you want to change the Blend step, you can go to Object >
Blend > Blend Options or double click the Blend Tool(B) on the tool bar.

5. Change Stroke Color

Use Direct Selection Tool (A), select one of strokes and change it to blue stroke color. Notice
how 2 strokes blend from blue to white.
6. Wild Blend

Now go crazy with your Pen tool, create 2 wavy strokes and blend them. Play around with the
Blend step, stroke weight and color.

Repeat the steps to create the last abstract blend, from blue to purple.

Final

Your image should look like something below:

Abstract Desktop Wallpaper

You can also use this abstract image for your desktop wallpaper.
Place a photo

First place a photo in Layer 1 by File > Place or Copy & Paste from clip board. Double click on
Layer 1 to change the Layer Options. Set Dim Images to: 30% and lock layer.

2. Start tracing

Make a new layer (Layer 2). Hold down Ctrl key and click on the eye icon of Layer 2 to view
Layer 2 in Outline mode.
Use the Pen Tool and start tracing the basic features of the girl. While you are tracing, there are
couple shortcut keys you should know in order to work more faster.

These shortcuts are:

 Ctrl+[ = Send Backward (This will send object back 1 step)

 Ctrl+] = Bring Forward (This will bring object front 1 step)
 Ctrl+Shift+[ = Send to Back (This will send object all the way to the back)
 Ctrl+Shift+] = Bring to Front (This will bring object all the way to the front)
 Ctrl+F = Paste in Front (This will paste object in front with same position)

3. Make shadow

Draw a new path as shown (top). Then Copy the base path of the face and Paste in Front. Select
the copied base path and the new path, open your Pathfinder, Alt-click on Intersect shape
areas.
Use the same technique from previous step and make all shadow paths for the overall illustration.
You don’t have to get into the details yet, one simple shadow path of each part is good enough
(ie. eye, lips, shirt, body, etc). Remember to use Ctrl+C for copy; and Ctrl+F to paste object in
front. Trust me, this will save you a lot of time!

4. Fill in base color

Now fill in the base color for the face, eye, lips, and eyebrow.
5. Shadow gradient

Fill the shadow path of the face with a Gradient (white-skin tone) and select Multiply for
Blending Mode.

Select the other shadow paths and use the Eyedropper Tool to copy the gradient fill of the main
shadow path.
For the lip and eye shadow, use the Eyedropper to copy the base fill and select Multiply
Blending Mode.

6. Body

Use the same technique, copy the gradient fill for the body. Note you might to adjust the gradient
of each shadow path to blend in with the overall illustration.

7. Hair

Pretty much the same, fill 1 path with the gradient, then use the Eyedropper Tool to copy the
fill.
8. Shirt

Same technique as the previous steps.

9. Skirt

Fill the skirt with a blue gradient, then use the Eyedropper Tool to copy the fill for the shadow.

10. Hair details

Now you can add more details to the hair. Make shadow effect by adding Multiply paths. Add
some highlights by using lighter gradient color. If you want, you can add more details to the
clothes, lips, or add a cool tattoo on her body.

Final

After you get used to this tracing technique, you can basically trace anything!

Create the Circle Shapes

First create a circle path and fill it with orange color. Then Copy (Ctrl+C) it and Paste in Front
(Ctrl+F). Scale down about 40% and drag it slight below the center point of the orange circle.
2. Blend Tool

Select the Blend Tool, click on the top edge of the yellow circle and then click again on the top
edge of the orange circle. Or you can blend them by selecting both circles, go to Object > Blend
> Make (Ctrl+Alt+B).

3. Add Final Light Reflection

Make an oval path and fill it with black & white Gradient and place it on top of the circles. Note
if your color setting is CMYK, make sure the black for the gradient is full black(C=100, M=100,
Y=100, K=100). With the oval path selected, go to Transparency pallate, select Screen Blend
Mode. If your Transparency is not showing, go to Window > Transparency or press
Ctrl+Shift+F10.

Advantages

There are serveral advantages to create this glossy button with Illustrator than Photoshop:
1. It is vector, which mean it is scalable.
2. It is easier and faster to make this with Illustrator (less steps).
3. Easier to change colors, just need to fill the circles with different colors.